[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Galloway
2-13-1990 by Ord. No. 986. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Land management — See Ch. 233.
The Township of Galloway Environmental Commission is hereby established pursuant to Chapter 245 of the Laws of 1968 (N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 to 40:56A-12, inclusive), as amended by Chapter 35, P.L. 1972.
A.
The Commission shall consist of seven members appointed
by the Mayor, all of whom shall be residents of the township and one of whom
shall be a member of the Planning Board.
B.
The members shall serve without compensation except as
hereinafter provided.
C.
The Mayor shall designate one of the members to serve
as Chairman and presiding officer of the Commission.
D.
The terms of office of the first Commissioners shall
be for one, two or three years, to be designated by the Mayor in making the
appointments so that the terms of 1/3 of the members will expire each year
and until the appointment and qualification of their successors. The first
members of the Commission shall be appointed for the following terms: two
members for the term expiring December 31, 1990, two members for the term
expiring December 31, 1991, and three members for the term expiring December
31, 1992.
E.
The Mayor or Council may remove any member of the Commission
for cause, on written charges served upon the member and after the hearing
thereon at which the member shall be entitled to be heard in person or by
counsel.
F.
A vacancy on the Commission occurring otherwise than
by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same
manner as an original appointment.
G.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary,
the powers of appointment and removal hereby accorded to the Mayor shall be
vested in that office or, where there is a vacancy in the Office of Mayor,
in the duly designated Acting Mayor.
The Commission is established for the protection, development or use
of natural resources, including water resources, located within territorial
limits of the township. The Commission shall have power to conduct research
into the use and possible use of the open land areas of the township and may
coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes,
and may advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans
and pamphlets which in its judgment it deems necessary for its purposes. It
shall keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned, including
open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands, in order to obtain information
on the proper use of such areas and may from time to time recommend to the
Planning Board plans and programs for inclusion in the Master Plan and the
development and use of such areas.
The Environmental Commission may, subject to the approval of Council,
acquire property, both real and personal, in the name of the township by gift,
purchase, grant, bequest, devise or lease for any of its purposes and shall
administer the same for such purposes subject to the terms of the conveyance
or gift. Such an acquisition may be to acquire the fee or any lesser interest,
development right, easement (including conservation easement), covenant or
other contractual right (including a conveyance on conditions or with limitations
or reservations), as may be necessary to acquire, maintain, improve, protect,
limit the future use of, or otherwise conserve and properly utilize open spaces
and other land and water areas in the township.
The Environmental Commission shall keep records of its meetings and
activities and make an annual report to the Council.
The Council may appropriate funds for the expenses incurred by the Commission.
The Commission may appoint such clerks and other employees as it may from
time to time require, providing the same shall be within the limits of funds
appropriated to it by the Council.
The Environmental Commission shall have the power to study and make
recommendations concerning open space preservation, water resources management,
air pollution control, solid waste management, noise control, soil and landscape
protection, environmental appearance, marine resources and protection of flora
and fauna.
